A survey published in the BMJ Open of nearly 1,000 households of Uttarakhand showed that six per cent of adults were identified as depressed.
People were two or three times more likely to be depressed if they were from the most socially oppressed castes, had taken a recent loan, lived in poor quality housing or had not completed primary school.
Researchers from Umea University in Sweden focused over the last four years on how communities in the states of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh can promote, prevent, treat and advocate for mental health.
Further qualitative studies, showed that nearly all people with mental distress had experienced social exclusion and many had experienced economic, verbal and physical violence.
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People with friends or family members experiencing mental distress as well as those who believed that mentally distressed people can recover were more willing to be socially close to them.
The communities in research are characterised by complicated relationships between mental health and social inequalities such as gender, poverty, class, caste and education.
"Bringing together the findings from this research, I picture community mental health competence using the picture of a tree, where all parts are organically connected," said Mathias.
"The roots are the many social factors affecting mental health. The trunk connects these with four branches: access to care, knowledge, safe social spaces and partnerships for action," she said.
"The research shows how people with mental distress, caregivers and community members together find coping strategies despite many obstacles and few resources. Amidst the shadows there are patches of light," Mathias said.
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